HARLAN, James Simpson
James Simpson Harlan
Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Putnam County, Indiana, The Lewis Pub. Co., 1887.
JAMES SIMPSON HARLAN, farmer and stock-raiser, resides in the southern part of Clinton Township, where he owns 150 acres of land. He was born in this county June 24, 1834, and has lived here during the greater part of his life. His parents were Jacob and Rebecca Harlan, the former born in England, in 1802, and the latter was born in Ireland in 1806. They had nine children, and all are now living--Matilda, Nancy, Barbara, Sarah, Lucinda, Melissa, James, William H. and Elizabeth. One child is living in Arkansas, five in Putnam County, one in Missouri, and two in Iowa. James S. was married August 10, 1856, to Miss Rebecca Star, daughter of Michael and Anna Star, of Clinton Township. They were the parents of nine children, only five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Harlan nave ten children--James H., George A., Alice A., Martha, Jacob, Thomas, Mary, Laura, Serena and Katie. Alice married Alfred Carmichael, son of Hiram and Myra Carmichael, and they have five children--Alice, James H., Stella, Wilbur (deceased) and Minnie Bell. Mary married Samuel Blacketer, and they have one child--Nellie. Both of Mr. Harlan's grandfathers served in the Revolutionary war. Both of his brothers were in the Union army during the late war; one was wounded in the hand; the other was captured and held a prisoner for nearly a year. Mr. Harlan has held the office of supervisor ten or twelve years, and was also assessor two or three terms. Politically he is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the Campbellite church.
Submitted by Tamara S. Carney